Lidia Thorpe heard secret evidence from crime-fighters while dating ex-Rebels bikie boss Dean Martin

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe was dating an ex-Rebels bikie boss when she sat on a parliamentary committee hearing secret evidence about how drug smugglers evaded border controls.

Under-fire Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe sat on a committee that received detailed secret evidence about how drug smugglers evaded border controls at the same time as she was dating an ex-Rebels bikie boss.

Ms Thorpe failed to disclose the relationship with ex-outlaw bikie gang boss Dean Martin, which took place during her time on the committee.

On Thursday afternoon she resigned as Greens deputy leader in the Senate.

Along with having oversight of the Australian Federal Police, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Law Enforcement — on which Ms Thorpe served — also supervised a secretive law enforcement agency that a source described as having “incredible” abilities to track organised crimes.

During Ms Thorpe’s time on the committee, from February 2021 to April 2022, the group also issued a report on Covid-19, criminal activity and law enforcement detailing the emergence of southeast Asian crime gangs that were “likely to become a global methamphetamine source”.

Dean Martin (left) with Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe.

The report detailed various ways drug smugglers were getting around international and state border closures, including bulk shipping through sea cargo, and hiring trucking and courier companies that were exempt from travel bans, and was based on submissions taken in public and private.

The committee also looked at a number of special operations and investigations, including ongoing operations against outlaw motorcycle gangs, drugs and firearm trafficking. Sources familiar with the committee also said that the group would have heard about the powerful, low-profile Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, or ACIC.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said Ms Thorpe would not be expelled from the party. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Luis Ascui

One source familiar with the ACIC’s workings described it as “Australia’s most extraordinary law enforcement agency.”

“Very little is disclosed about what they do, but they have incredible capabilities and would have surely briefed the committee on their work fighting outlaw bikie gangs and organised crime.”

Mr Martin has no criminal convictions, but had a 25-year-plus association with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club.

Ms Thorpe also attended a ‘major briefing’ on a significant Australian Federal Police operation around the time she was dating Mr Martin.

“I note that Senator Thorpe has said that this is an error of judgment — that is the least description that I would put to it,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“(Greens Leader) Adam Bandt has to explain what his office knew and what he knew, and why he wasn’t informed about these issues given his office was informed, why that is the case.”

Mr Bandt said that Ms Thorpe would not be forced out of the party.

“I now expect her to demonstrate better judgment going forward and in exercising her continuing portfolio responsibilities,” he said.

When asked if this was the sort of matter that might be investigated by a future national anti-corruption body, a spokesman for Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said that would be a matter for a commission to decide.

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